A Few Newbie Questions

[jarata1]

1 If we don't have a water hookup should we have water in the bottom line of toilet or will it take water from on board water tank we filled at home
2 If we don't have water hookup and use water from on board water tank do we leave water pump on all the time
3.Is it correct if we have water hookup we don't use water pump at all
4 If there isn' electric hookup does refrigerator work from propane or battery
By the way I have a 15 ft travel trailer

Thanks for your answers it's a little confusing starting out

[bikendan]

Unless your trailer has a 3 way fridge, it won't work on only 12v.

Most RVs have 2 way fridges, meaning 120v AC power or propane (which requires 12v DC battery power for ignition and electronics)

By the way, it's much more helpful to post brand and model of trailer, instead of just saying 15ft trailer.

[NCWriter]

You may be a newbie, but you're asking good questions that show you realize an RV isn't the same setup as a house. You'll be all squared away in no time. Have fun RVing!

[coolmom42]

fla-gypsy wrote:

jarata1 wrote:
1 If we don't have a water hookup should we have water in the bottom line of toilet or will it take water from on board water tank we filled at home
2 If we don't have water hookup and use water from on board water tank do we leave water pump on all the time
3.Is it correct if we have water hookup we don't use water pump at all
4 If there isn' electric hookup does refrigerator work from propane or battery
By the way I have a 15 ft travel trailer

Thanks for your answers it's a little confusing starting out

1. The onboard water system will supply the toilet also
2. Yes but it is wise to turn it off when leaving it unattended
3. That is correct
4. It will operate on propane but also requires the 12v system supplied by the battery to be fully functional. Most travel trailers have a 12v system that is barely adequate for more than a day in the best of circumstances when not hooked to shore power as it supplies lights and power to other things as well. It can be modified to operate much longer with the right additions and a bigger/better battery bank and a charge source.

Best answers!

[Second_Chance]

TucsonJim wrote:

Second Chance wrote:
1. Toilet will have water supplied by on-board fresh water system and water pump.

2. Yes - leave the water pump on all the time. It is pressure-switched.

3. Correct - when on "city" water, turn water pump off.

4. Without shore power, frig will operate on propane (unless you have a residential frig)

You don't say what kind of rig you have, but some RVs have a water manifold with valve(s) and you must set the valve(s) correctly for use of city water, on-board fresh tank, or for filling the fresh tank.

Rob

I agree with Rob, with the exception of number two. If you leave the RV, turn off the pump. If you developed a leak, the pump would continue to pump water into the rig until you returned or the water tank ran out of water. For that matter, if you are hooked to city water, I'd suggest shutting it off also if you'll be leaving the RV for an period of time.

Jim

Thanks, Jim - good point!

Rob

[TucsonJim]

Second Chance wrote:
1. Toilet will have water supplied by on-board fresh water system and water pump.

2. Yes - leave the water pump on all the time. It is pressure-switched.

3. Correct - when on "city" water, turn water pump off.

4. Without shore power, frig will operate on propane (unless you have a residential frig)

You don't say what kind of rig you have, but some RVs have a water manifold with valve(s) and you must set the valve(s) correctly for use of city water, on-board fresh tank, or for filling the fresh tank.

Rob

I agree with Rob, with the exception of number two. If you leave the RV, turn off the pump. If you developed a leak, the pump would continue to pump water into the rig until you returned or the water tank ran out of water. For that matter, if you are hooked to city water, I'd suggest shutting it off also if you'll be leaving the RV for an period of time.

Jim

[gbopp]

When using the water pump, I only turn it on when needed.
However,it will not hurt anything if you leave it on all the time.

If you are hooked up to a water source, and you leave the TT. Turn the water off at the source spigot.
There have been RV's flooded because something failed.
Don't tempt Mr. Murphy.

And yes, it will eventually make more sense.

Enjoy your travels.

[fla-gypsy]

jarata1 wrote:
1 If we don't have a water hookup should we have water in the bottom line of toilet or will it take water from on board water tank we filled at home
2 If we don't have water hookup and use water from on board water tank do we leave water pump on all the time
3.Is it correct if we have water hookup we don't use water pump at all
4 If there isn' electric hookup does refrigerator work from propane or battery
By the way I have a 15 ft travel trailer

Thanks for your answers it's a little confusing starting out

1. The onboard water system will supply the toilet also
2. Yes but it is wise to turn it off when leaving it unattended
3. That is correct
4. It will operate on propane but also requires the 12v system supplied by the battery to be fully functional. Most travel trailers have a 12v system that is barely adequate for more than a day in the best of circumstances when not hooked to shore power as it supplies lights and power to other things as well. It can be modified to operate much longer with the right additions and a bigger/better battery bank and a charge source.

[Second_Chance]

1. Toilet will have water supplied by on-board fresh water system and water pump.

2. Yes - leave the water pump on all the time. It is pressure-switched.

3. Correct - when on "city" water, turn water pump off.

4. Without shore power, frig will operate on propane (unless you have a residential frig)

You don't say what kind of rig you have, but some RVs have a water manifold with valve(s) and you must set the valve(s) correctly for use of city water, on-board fresh tank, or for filling the fresh tank.

Rob

[jplante4]

1. The onboard tank should supply all of your water needs, including the toilet.
2. Personal choice. I would shut off the pump when you're not in the trailer/coach. But then, I leave the coach when it's hooked up to the city water so I'm not sure that's even necessary.
3. Correct. Turn off the water pump when hooked up to city water.
4. It depends on what type of fridge you have. If it's 120 VAC and propane, the propane burner should start automatically when you lose AC if it's set to Auto. Looked at you fridge control panel. Unless it has a DC setting, then it won't run directly off the battery. Depending on how they wired it, you may be able to run the fridge on AC off the inverter, off the house batteries which will charge when driving. Consult you coach's manual to see how it's wired.

Don't worry. It'll all make sense in a few years 🙂

[2oldman]

yes,if you wish,yes,both